The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-07
PLAGUE s STRICKEN ALESIA
DR.. Maynard Beautifully Describes
the Monsters Onslaught.


New YoBK. DC d The Rev. Mr..
Maynard, the lecturer, was one OF the
passengers on the plague-stricken
steamer AIesis. which arrived here
couple Of weeks ago. He wa, seen by
reporter yesterday and told the fol.
lowing story OF the sad voyage: II
do not know the exact number Of en-.
igrants who were taken on board at
Naples, but II must hays been about
800. Among them was a party OF forty
from Palermo, a plagus-stricken city.
None OF tho few cab n passengers were,
OF courBs, 6wAre OF the occurrence
at the lime, and yet a circumstances
which occurred before we started
aroused in my miLd On underlined
suspicion that everything wac no, all
right. The day before we left, the
steamship people gave q rsceptio on
board the Alesia to the Nenpoliian
municipal authorities, who attended
In grand state. l, was quite a delight
ful occasion, and sm convinced now
that II was intended 10 mollify the
authorities on account Of the com.
pany's sction In TAXI ~ the Palermo
passen gerf. DuriOg the early part Of
the passage all circumstances seemed
to consplre TO produce pleasure TO all
en- board. For couple OF dsys a
slfccco came aCross the Medilerranean
from AitiCs, but did not make the
temperature uubeaia ably ho,. We W ,Ie
gay c mpany, the Italian emigrsnts
particularly go. The difcomiorts a.
tending IN em'g7ant voyrge seems ID
to have no ELECT upon their spifite.
They chntled and laughed and Gang
and dsUood all day long and well into
the nigh's, which were made more
pleasant by moonlight. Among the
emigr1niH were many OF the belier
olase OF itGliane, and their really
beautilul singing added greatly 10 tue
charm OF theee delightful evenings
We were about twelve days out when
the plague broke cut. A young
Neapolitau died. II was given on
that heart dlteAae was the cause, and
there wnB nt the time no ground for
supposing otherwise, aud yet, In some
unaccouniable way, all on board ship
became seized with a misglving Moth.
ing on the part ol the captsin, who
was apartlcularly July fellow, or the
doctor or other OH ies indicated that
the Neapolitan's death was ont Of the
ordinary run oil such misfortunes, yet
II caused q snddel fear 10 fall upon
the emigfAnts, the like Of which /
had never before IN q very long aud
very varied experience Of travel met
with. From that time not q sound OF
mirih vas heard. The dancing was
ended. Not q note was tung. The
iuneTsl OF the Neapolitan was
= cad aud impressive sight, and,
II u was pJssbe, II increased
the general detection. have no doubt
that tho condition OF mind of these
people hss = good deal TO do with the
twiit Roadway which the disease made
alter ], began lie work. never saw
such . complete surrender TO misilrl.
une o. those people made, and pre-.
sented sil tho more startling appear.
ance on account oi the light hearted.
ness they had ri Grs, displayed They
made 40 struggle with fate, but eat or
moved abost lisllessly and llislessly,
and seemed actually 10 invite death
by their dread OF H. | cannot give
any particulars regarding the progress
oil the dlaease or the number OF the
yictimb. Strange 10 cay, the d. ease
hrst struck the Nsap llilane, AID the
proportion OF thet tr cken among them
was creator than among thos. tom
fhsfmoi who imported the disease.
The discipline un board wAs perfect.
and the Doctor and his Assis ants we're
untifiDg In their Efforts. The captain
maintained hia io.lity Of d meanor
throughout the entire trial In mau.
nef which now CT iyss VAS inspirlug
Coneealment OF the trus state oi
ah,irs laatsd IN, short time, end IN,
ylctms were given TO the deep on,
after another ] believe that no o.,
really knew ht~ many died on b ard
EVtiy day brought Iva fatalities.